- Reaction score
- 1
- Points
- 410
Why do I think Mess Dinners are going to be a tad more interesting over there...
http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/12wing/news/releases_e.asp?cat=162&id=2284
Jan. 22, 2007
Rick Mercer
By Holly Bridges
Forget about talking to the Americans. Canada's funniest political hit man is going to be "talking to the military." At least more than he already does, that is.
Rick Mercer, the man who has had more training on Canadian Forces kit than any other Canadian without actually having to join, has just been named the Honorary Colonel (HCol) for 423 (Maritime Helicopter) Squadron at 12 Wing Shearwater, home of the CH-124 Sea King helicopter.
"I was certainly very flattered that they asked me. I asked the squadron to make sure I was someone they wanted to be associated with," says Mr. Mercer, host of The Mercer Report on CBC Television, laughing. "But they assured me that they did and I liked the idea of it being with the Sea Kings because I've always had a penchant for the underdog." Ba-dum-pum. Well, you knew that was coming.
But seriously (you knew that was coming, too), the native Newfoundlander, who's perhaps the hottest Canadian comedian going nowadays - "God love you, that's nice of you to say" - spent 10 years living in Halifax, so the idea of going back east to mix with the folks at 12 Wing Shearwater was just too good to resist.
"I miss Halifax so I always look for an opportunity to get ‘home'. Newfoundland is my real home but obviously I like the notion that this is on the east coast and it's Sea Kings." Mr. Mercer flew on a Sea King off HMCS Ottawa over Christmas during his visit to Afghanistan with the Chief of the Defence Staff and a gaggle of Canadian performers.
It was obvious during that trip, and others, that Mr. Mercer is a huge supporter of the Canadian Forces and says he will continue that support as HCol for 423 (MH) Sqn, except perhaps a little more discreetly than on national television.
"It's not about me bringing a camera there because I can do that anyway. So we'll just have to play it by ear and see what happens. The obligations of an Honorary Colonel are pretty straightforward, and it's stuff that I kind of do anyway."
So as 423 (MH) Sqn prepares to host its newest HCol for his first official visit later this spring, "Colonel Rick" as some now call him, says there's just one tiny, little thing he can't quite get used to - military briefings.
"I've been briefed on a number of occasions about what to expect, but you know, I was never very good at briefings," says Mr. Mercer with a chuckle. "My retention of detail is quite poor."
Never mind, "Colonel Rick", have your people call our people and we'll give you the drill - just remember to iron your shirt, polish your shoes and do a lot of push-ups. The military likes push-ups. A lot.
http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/12wing/news/releases_e.asp?cat=162&id=2284
Jan. 22, 2007
Rick Mercer
By Holly Bridges
Forget about talking to the Americans. Canada's funniest political hit man is going to be "talking to the military." At least more than he already does, that is.
Rick Mercer, the man who has had more training on Canadian Forces kit than any other Canadian without actually having to join, has just been named the Honorary Colonel (HCol) for 423 (Maritime Helicopter) Squadron at 12 Wing Shearwater, home of the CH-124 Sea King helicopter.
"I was certainly very flattered that they asked me. I asked the squadron to make sure I was someone they wanted to be associated with," says Mr. Mercer, host of The Mercer Report on CBC Television, laughing. "But they assured me that they did and I liked the idea of it being with the Sea Kings because I've always had a penchant for the underdog." Ba-dum-pum. Well, you knew that was coming.
But seriously (you knew that was coming, too), the native Newfoundlander, who's perhaps the hottest Canadian comedian going nowadays - "God love you, that's nice of you to say" - spent 10 years living in Halifax, so the idea of going back east to mix with the folks at 12 Wing Shearwater was just too good to resist.
"I miss Halifax so I always look for an opportunity to get ‘home'. Newfoundland is my real home but obviously I like the notion that this is on the east coast and it's Sea Kings." Mr. Mercer flew on a Sea King off HMCS Ottawa over Christmas during his visit to Afghanistan with the Chief of the Defence Staff and a gaggle of Canadian performers.
It was obvious during that trip, and others, that Mr. Mercer is a huge supporter of the Canadian Forces and says he will continue that support as HCol for 423 (MH) Sqn, except perhaps a little more discreetly than on national television.
"It's not about me bringing a camera there because I can do that anyway. So we'll just have to play it by ear and see what happens. The obligations of an Honorary Colonel are pretty straightforward, and it's stuff that I kind of do anyway."
So as 423 (MH) Sqn prepares to host its newest HCol for his first official visit later this spring, "Colonel Rick" as some now call him, says there's just one tiny, little thing he can't quite get used to - military briefings.
"I've been briefed on a number of occasions about what to expect, but you know, I was never very good at briefings," says Mr. Mercer with a chuckle. "My retention of detail is quite poor."
Never mind, "Colonel Rick", have your people call our people and we'll give you the drill - just remember to iron your shirt, polish your shoes and do a lot of push-ups. The military likes push-ups. A lot.
